Liver transplantation is feasible in super-obese patients: a case report

Short- and long-term results of liver transplantation in morbidly obese patients may be impaired compared with the general transplant population. As a consequence, severe obesity has been considered to be a relative contraindication to liver transplantation in many centers. Surgically, liver transplantation in severe obesity may be challenging. Moreover, obesity may lead to an increased rate of early and late medical complications. Herein we have reported successful liver transplantation in a super-obese patient (body mass index, 55.1 kg/m(2)) who had developed terminal acute-on-chronic liver disease. In the first 6 months of follow-up, the patient underwent a severe diet that led to a significant weight loss reduction to a body mass index of 39 kg/m(2). This report of successful liver transplantation in a super-obese patient suggests that severe obesity should not be considered to be an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation.